Over 1400 IDPs arrive in South Darfur camps
April 18, 2016 (NYALA) – More than 1400 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) mostly women and children Monday have arrived to Otash camp outside Nyala the capital of South Darfur state, fleeing the clashes in Jebel Marra area.
“In one week, more than 390 families comprising 1400 persons have fled their villages in Jebel Marra area to Otash camp, as result of the recent fighting in Jebel Marra,” said Adam Abdallah, the vice president of the IDPs association in Darfur.
He added that the war affected civilians had to travel during two weeks before the reach Nyala.
The Jebel Marra area witnessed fierce fighting that displaced over 130,000 civilians who moved to IDPs camps in North Darfur, South Darfur and Central Darfur states.
On 12 April the Sudanese army said it had took the control of Sroung, the last rebel stronghold area in Darfur, located north-west of Jebel Marra. But, the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdel Wahid al-Nur said they are still defending their positions.
Abdallah also told Sudan Tribune that the newly displaced people, majority of whom are women and children, need an urgent aid, as they faced harsh conditions during the past weeks. He added that some of them went to North Darfur state.
Abdallah disclosed that many IDPs are missing, especially the ones who fled from Sroung area, adding they have no idea of their whereabouts. He stressed that they have been closely watching the displaced who fled the fighting.
The IDPs representative urged the national and the international humanitarian organizations especially WFP to quickly intervene to rescue their lives.
He noted that the IDPs at the camps in South Darfur have helped the newly arrivals to their camps to build makeshift huts.
UN agencies estimate that over 300,000 people were killed in Darfur conflict since 2003, and over 2.5 million were displaced.
(ST)